Eagles grab safety Jenkins

The Philadelphia Eagles have reportedly signed former Saints safety Malcom… (MICHAEL KUBEL, THE MORNING…)

March 11, 2014|The Sports Xchange

PHILADELPHIA — — Last year, the Eagles signed eight players in the first four hours of the free-agent signing period. They will not match or maintain that pace this offseason, but Philadelphia is again expected to be active.

Despite making the playoffs last season, the Eagles have a number of needs on defense — specifically safety, outside linebacker and cornerback.

They made a quick move to fill the safety spot by signing Saints unrestricted free agent Malcolm Jenkins to a three-year, $16.25-million contract that includes $8.5 million in guarantees. Jenkins started 14 games last season and was fifth on the team with 66 tackles. he also had 2.5 sacks and two interceptions.

With Jenkins added, the Eagles released safety Patrick Chung. They also re-signed punter Donnie Jones to a three-year contract.

Last season, Jones set team records in single-season net punting average (40.4 yards per punt) and punts inside the 20-yard line (33), while ranking third in franchise history in single-season gross punting average (44.9).

Prior to those moves, the Eagles entered the league year with $24.1 million in cap space, which is the 12th most cap space in the league. They have the cap room to do pretty much anything they want.

But still the Eagles are haunted by the mistakes they made in 2011 when they went on a free-agent spending spree, giving big deals to the likes of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, offensive tackle Ryan Harris and defensive end Jason Babin, and trading for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie were major disappointments. Harris injured his back and never played a game for the Eagles. And Babin became a locker room cancer and was released a year later.

The Eagles are were active in February and early March retaining their own priority free agents. They were prepared to pass on big-ticket items, including the two top-rated safeties in free agency — Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward (signed with Denver) — but probably will grab some second-tier players, much like they did last year with cornerbacks Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher.

They are believed to be interested in cornerback Corey Graham (Ravens).

"Because of where we think the core of our team is, and [many of them] coming up for contracts [in 2015 and 2016], unless it's really the right fit for the position, the age, the player, the history of the player, the scheme fit, you want to be careful," general manager Howie Roseman said of signing big-ticket items.

"Because when you talk about these top free agents, you're tied into them for a lot longer than for a year or two. It limits your flexibility. And you're bringing guys into your locker room that you haven't drafted and haven't been in the culture [of your locker room]. Chemistry is a big part of what we're trying to build."

NOTES

•Center Jason Kelce is contractually tied to the Eagles through 2020 after signing a six-year contract extension with the team that could be worth $40.1 million. Asked about signing such a long deal that could become outdated if he continues to develop into one of the league's top centers, Kelce said: "They told me what the numbers were and I said, 'That sounds pretty good to me.' I think the longer for me the better because I really, truly don't want to play for any other organization. I'm happy with this city, this team, these coaches. I'm really excited to be here, and I have been from day one." Kelce has enough trust in the Eagles that if he does clearly outperform his deal, he feels they would address it.

•Jason Avant, who was released by the Eagles last week, had been the team's primary slot receiver for the last six years. The most likely candidate to replace him inside seems to be Riley Cooper. Cooper played outside last year, but the 6-3, 230-pounder can play the slot. The Eagles also lined up DeSean Jackson in the slot a lot last season.

"All those guys have the versatility to play inside or outside," Roseman said. "Right now, we're just trying to collect good football players. Obviously, we have a plan as to how we're going to utilize everyone. But it's February. We have a long way to go."

•Head coach Chip Kelly has not made himself available to the media since his season-ending news conference the day after the team's playoff loss to the Saints. He declined to speak to reporters at the Senior Bowl. He was one of just three coaches who didn't speak to reporters, either in the press room or on the side, at the scouting combine. And he hasn't made himself available after any of the team's recent signings.

EAGLES UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

•QB Michael Vick lost his starting job to Nick Foles last season after getting hurt. The team prefers to promote second-year man Matt Barkley to the backup job rather than bring back the soon-to-be-34-year-old Vick.